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The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory (SIC- 9511), Doraville, Georgia requested an evaluation of physical complaints reported by employees to determine possible work related causes. Laboratory workers, in general, complained of physical symptoms which were irritative (rash, sore throat, nose or sinus irritation), neurological (numbness, muscle weakness) and nonspecific (dizziness, headache, emotional swings, insomnia, muscle aching, fatigue). Blood samples showed that five of the 51 workers in the study population had antinuclear antibodies detected in their blood. Sera of positive cases were analyzed for additional classes of antinuclear antibodies associated with specific connective tissue diseases. No common pattern could be found to indicate a drug or chemical induced etiology. Reported exposure to solvents such as benzene (71432), methylene-chloride (75092), hexane (110543) and acetone (67641) were positively related with light headedness or dizziness, numbness, unexplained muscle weakness and muscle aching. Air sampling did not reveal any remarkable exposure to chemical contaminants. The authors conclude that no relationship could be established between chemical exposures and antinuclear antibody positivity. Exposure to chemicals measured by air sampling were below occupational health exposure limits. The ventilation system has many inadequacies; the authors recommend that it should be upgraded. Existing chemical waste disposal to open sanitary sewer drains in the floor should be corrected.